It shouldn’t be surprising that most famous opera houses reside in Europe. After all, the origins of opera can be traced back over 400 years to Florence during the Italian Renaissance. Moreover, Germany has the world’s most opera houses, followed closely by Italy. If that’s not enough, the number of theaters in France ranks in the Top Five. Still, it’s essential to realize that some European opera theaters are better than others. To put it in more precise detail, some are more prestigious and influential in expanding interest in this timeless theatrical art form. While New York has the Metropolitan Opera House and Sydney has its own, it isn’t easy to compare with those in the birthplace of classical music and opera. Here, the most famous opera houses in Europe are also.
Europe’s Most Famous Opera Houses
Bolshoi Theatre
Theatre Square, 1
Moscow, Russia, 125009
www.bolshoirussia.com
Just steps away from Moscow’s Red Square, the Bolshoi Theatre is on that short list of the world’s most significant opera houses. For one thing, it’s home to two of the world’s oldest and most distinguished opera and ballet companies. For another, it has been the setting for an exceptional list of world premieres. In particular, iconic ballets like Prokofiev’s Cinderella and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake are arguably the most famous ever. Of course, prominent operas have also debuted here, such as Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Maid of Pskov and Rachmaninoff’s Aleko.
The Big Theatre
Translated as Big Theater, the Bolshoi opened in 1825. However, its namesake ballet and opera companies date back to 1776. The Bolshoi Ballet is among the world’s oldest and best ballet companies. The upcoming highlights are Prokiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, and Verdi’s La Traviata. However, many performances are already sold out. There is no question the Big Theatre is easily among the finest opera houses in Europe.
La Scala
Via Filodrammatici, 2
20121 Milan MI, Italy
Teatro Alla Scala is widely considered the world’s most famous opera house. Many of history’s most important operas premiered at The Staircase. For instance, as did Puccini’s Madame Butterfly and Turandot, Verdi’s Otello and Falstaff operas premiered here. Moreover, many of Europe’s most celebrated performers have appeared on the iconic stage. However, it’s not just the operas, ballets, and performers that make La Scala famous. Indeed, the interior design, with six seating tiers, is breathtaking. Coupled with red velvet seats and gilded sculptures, La Scala is an architectural masterpiece.
What Is The Meaning Of La Scala
Teatro alla Scala is translated into English as Theater at the Staircase. It gets its name from the former church Santa Maria all Scala on which it stands. The famed opera house is particularly noted for its box seating and the gallery section above it. This more affordable gallery is known as loggione. The guests seated or standing in the logging developed a reputation as the loudest of critics. As a result, La Scala earned the nickname “Baptism by Fire”. La Scala has a seating capacity of 2,030.
Upcoming Concerts in Milan
Teatro all Scala will host several operas, ballets, and concerts this season. For instance, the opera Pique Dame begins on February 23. La Scala Philharmonic on March 7 and Cinderella for Children on March 26 are equally notable.
National Theatre Munich
Max-Joseph-Platz 2
80539 München, Germany
www.staatsoper.de/en/national-theatre
Set in the historic city center, the National Theatre of Munich is the largest opera house in Germany. National Theater has been the site for several essential opera debuts. Most notable are Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, Das Rheingold, and Die Walküre. The premieres of Richard Strauss’ Friedenstag and Capriccio were also held in the theater. Unfortunately, the second-built theatre was destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II. In 1963, the current building opened as a facsimile of the original neo-classical structure.
Home to Ballet and Opera
Nationaltheater is home to three of Germany’s top musical entities. In addition to the Bavarian State Opera, the theater is home to the Bavarian State Orchestra and State Ballet. The current structure looks much like the original, which opened in October 1818, with eight Corinthian columns. With tiered seating, the theater can seat up to 2,101 guests. It’s clearly among the finest opera houses in Europe.
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Palais Garnier Opera House
Pl. de l’Opéra
75009 Paris, France
There is no question Palais Garnier is on a short list of the world’s finest opera houses. In this case, it’s clearly among Europe’s most beautiful, with its stately Neo-Baroque architecture. Furthermore, it was one of the most expensive to build and has Europe’s most significant stage. Equally important is that this opera house inspired the novel The Phantom of the Opera. Of course, it gained even greater fame with the subsequent films and enduring Broadway musicals.
On the other hand, the opera house has not hosted as many notable premieres as some others. Most operas today are held at the newer Opéra Bastille. The most famous French opera, Bizet’s Carmen, made its debut at Opéra-Comique in 1875
Monument of Paris
Named after its architect, Palais Garnier is among Paris’s most significant architectural achievements. The principal façade, in particular, is a masterpiece in design with several notable features. For example, there are sculptures of famous composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Rossini. On the rooftop is the Apollo, Poetry, and Music sculpture, with bronze sculptures on either side. It would be best if you did not also overlook the magnificent Grand Foyer and Grand Staircase. Overall, Palais Garnier is the largest opera house in Europe.
Royal Opera House
Bow St., Covent Garden
London WC2E 9DD, United Kingdom
www.roh.org.uk
The Royal Opera House is often called Covent Garden due to its prominent location in central London. A center of entertainment for nearly 300 years, ROH is home to the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet and Orchestra. Like many famous Renaissance-era opera houses, ROH has been rebuilt, with the current version opening in 1858. Performances of the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet companies began in 1946. For this reason, notable early premieres include Sleeping Beauty in 1946 and Bizet’s Carmen in 1947.
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What’s Playing at the Royal Opera House
The season is in full swing with several upcoming highlights for the 2,256-seat theater. A few are Verdi’s Rigoletto through March 12 and, beginning March 1, the classic ballet Swan Lake. In addition, there are tours of ROH from February 21 to May 31. Another tour, Velvet, Gilt, and Glamour, runs through April.
Teatro di San Carlo (Naples)
Via San Carlo, 98,
80132 Napoli NA, Italy
www.teatrosancarlo.it/en
Teatro di San Carlo is unique compared to other leading opera houses. For one, it’s the world’s oldest in continuous operation, opening in 1737. Furthermore, its horseshoe-shaped seating arrangement is likewise the world’s oldest. This famous opera house hosted several notable composers during a high peak of creativity. Classical music icons like Rossini, Puccini, and Verdi are in detail. In addition, Teatro di San Carlo attracted famous foreign composers, such as Franz Joseph Haydn and Johann Christian Bach.
Current Season
The 2021/2022 opera season is currently running through May. Of particular interest to you is Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca from April 20 to May 3. The ballet season begins in April, with Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet a particular highlight starting May 22. The historic theater will host Rossini’s The Barber of Seville and Verdi’s La Traviata in July.
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Teatro La Fenice
Campo S. Fantin, 1965,
30124 Venice VE, Italy
www.teatrolafenice.it
Not only is La Fenice one of the most famous opera houses, it’s among the most beautiful. Built during a period when several opera houses stood in Venice, La Fenice opened in 1792. Yet, as its English translation suggests, it has risen from the ashes. After all, this renowned facility burned to the ground not once but twice. Despite these setbacks, La Fenice hosted the premieres of several timeless operas. Hence its legendary status, with notable operas like Rigoletto, La Traviata, and Tancredi.
Where Is Teatro La Fenice in Venice?
La Fenice is a five-minute walk from the western edge of St Marks Square, near the Music Museum. The 2021/2022 season will feature several vital operas well into May. In brief, there are essential operas like Faust and Le Baruffe. Venice’s most important opera house will also feature concerts with La Fenice orchestra and choir.
Vienna State Opera
Opernring 2,
1010 Vienna, Austria
www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en
No list of Europe’s leading opera houses is complete without the Vienna State Opera. After all, Vienna can be considered a cradle of classical music, with the likes of Mozart, Shubert, and Strauss. On the other hand, this opera house was not completed until 1869. Of course, long after Mozart’s Magic Flute and Requiem debuted in Vienna. That’s not to mention the premieres of Beethoven’s Fifth and Ninth Symphony. Despite this, the theater can stand out on its own.
Where Is The Vienna State Opera House?
The Wiener Staatsoper is in the historic city center and, unsurprisingly, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The renowned opera house is one of the world’s busiest, with numerous opera and ballet performances each year. Moreover, the theater’s esteemed orchestra is closely linked to the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic.
Upcoming Performances
The Vienna State Opera House has an extensive calendar of upcoming performances. Further details are Puccini’s Tosca in March, Bizet’s Carmen in April, and Wagner’s Das Rheingold in May. Additionally, in May are Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro and Wagner’s Die Walküre.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget and Radio.com.
